Jaundice

What is Jaundice?

Jaundice is a yellowish discolouration of the skin, mucous membranes, and the outer layer of the eyeball caused by elevated levels of the chemical bilirubin in the blood. When iron is removed from hemoglobin in RBC (red blood cells), the waste remains in the bloodstream. This is called bilirubin. When bilirubin is generated in excess and is accumulated in the bloodstream, various conditions of jaundice come into existence. Bilirubin is the breakdown product of hemoglobin and when it is transmitted openly in the blood, it is known as unconjugated bilirubin.

There are numerous treatments for jaundice, depending on the cause. Treatment for pre-hepatic jaundice aims to intercept the speedy breakdown of RBCs, which creates bilirubin tiers in the blood. In intrahepatic jaundice, treatment is focused at care of the liver. Newborn jaundice takes about a couple of weeks to heal and is usually not a matter of concern.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of the disease include:

  • Yellow colour overlay on the skin.
  • Yellowish tint in the white area of the eye and itchiness on the skin.
  • Fatigue (prostration, exhaustion, inaction, and inactivity)
  • Stomach pain, which typically indicates an obstruction of the bile duct.
  • Reduction in weight.
  • Dark urine.
  • Vomiting.
  • Fever.

 

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Causes

The main causes of this disease include:

  • Gilbert’s syndrome.
  • Inflammation of the bile duct.
  • Inflammation of the liver.

 

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Risks

The main risk factors of this disease include:

  • Excessive itching.
  • Insomnia.
  • Uncontrolled bleeding.

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Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of this disease, one should take care of the following:

  • Having a balanced diet.
  • Exercising on a regular basis.
  • Limiting oneself to having excess amount of alcohol.

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How is it diagnosed?

The doctor checks for liver firmness. A firm liver indicates cirrhosis, while a rock-hard liver indicates cancer. At Medanta, our doctors diagnose jaundice established on the patient’s history an...

How is it treated?

Jaundice requires a proper and accurate diagnosis. 

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  • Iron supplements

    In case of anemia-induced jaundice, our doctors at Medanta can treat the disease by increasing the amount of iron in the blood, or recommending you to take iron supplements or eat foods that are rich in iron. Anti-viral or steroids are also used to treat jaundice.

When do I contact the doctor?

You should immediately consult a doctor if you begin to experience symptoms such as weight reduction, vomiting, dark urine, and fever. All these symptoms will be treated just right with the help of our medical expertise at Medanta. 

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How does Medanta provide care?

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